A View from the Bridge - reviewed
Written by Clive Fuller, website user | |
|  | | A View from the Bridge |
| | Clive Fuller, a BBC Birmingham website user, went to see 'A View from the Bridge' at the Rep.
The production runs until 18th October before going to the West Yorkshire Playhouse. Read Clive's review below.
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The autumn season at the Birmingham Rep continues with a powerful production of Arthur Miller’s Brooklyn drama originally presented in 1955 and in which violence, sexual tension and close to home subjects like illegal immigration all mix in an explosive caldron.
The outstanding set, which is designed by Simon Higlett whose list of credits for London and regional productions is now longer than my arms, draws the audience into its world of squalor, distrust and secrecy.
The atmosphere is heightened by the clever use of stage smoke, which adds to the grime of the streets.
The play is directed by Toby Frow and he manages to create something on stage which will be remembered for a long time and which will rank as one of the finest productions of recent years.
The fight scene at the close of the play was directed by Malcolm Ransom and its visual impact left the stomach churning!
Certainly the audience enjoyed the entire production and as I left I heard many saying how brilliant it had been.
The cast are all superb but as with any Miller text there are some great character parts.
The visually frightening dockworker Eddie whose sexual interest in his niece was just a little too close for his own good, was wonderfully played by Corey Johnson. His long-suffering wife was played most knowingly and convincingly by Abigail McKern.
The source of all the sexual turmoil came in the part of Catherine and was given a most believable performance by Shauna Macdonald.
The immigrants were played by Mido Hamada and Jonjo O’Neill and they were both the most wonderful of characters, but it has to be said that Jonjo was outstanding as the blonde haired Italian and focus of Eddie’s hatred and frustration.
Our narrator throughout the play was the lawyer played by Richard Durden whose interjections provided a balance to Eddie’s behaviour.
The production spends a month at the West Yorkshire Playhouse after Birmingham and after such a fine collaboration I hope we will continue to see these two fine theatres producing such great drama.
Clive Fuller
| Details of A View from the Bridge |
For more about the production, dates and tickets details click here.
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